2025 has been a year of clear growth for Ember’s Peer Support Services, with new services extending support into emergency and community settings across Aotearoa.
The launch of three Peers in Emergency Department services, alongside the scheduled opening of Te Piringa Āhuru in Counties Manukau, has expanded the peer workforce and increased access to support for people experiencing mental distress or addiction challenges. These services place lived experience at the centre of care, offering practical, non-clinical support at critical moments.
Peers in ED has been a strong performer. Toroa at Te Toka Tumai, Auckland Hospital, has supported 885 people since opening, averaging around seven people each day. Each contact provides whaiora and whānau with support from someone who understands distress firsthand, while also easing pressure on emergency department staff.
Growth has been just as evident in Waikato. Peers in ED supported 35 people in its first month, rising to 178 in May and 262 in June, reflecting both demand and trust in the service. Toka Tautoko at Waitematā, based at North Shore Hospital, launched in May and is already seeing consistent engagement.
Across these settings, peer workers bring calm, presence, and lived experience into high-pressure environments. Their role is straightforward but important: to support people in distress and help services respond more effectively at the point of need.
As Peer Services continue to expand, the focus remains on practical support, consistency, and reach. Growth has not been about scale for its own sake, but about placing peer support where it can make the most difference.
